Posted on 09/16/2004 2:22:02 PM PDT by Lukasz
The European and Russian governments are living in two different worlds
"Business is politics in up-to-date Russia. The government controls all aspects of the nation's life and the commercial field is not an exception," the chairman of the committee "2008: Free Choice", Grand Master Garry Kasparov said on September 13th at the Baltic Forum of Development in Hamburg. Below you can find excerpts from the chess player's speech.
"We must draw a distinction between the current Russian leadership and the citizens of Russia. The rich culture, creativity, the knowledge and humanity of our nation is still alive and means a lot more to the world than the whole Russian oil," Kasparov said. "High oil prices make the only support for Putin's regime. Citizens of other oil-extracting countries do not derive profit from the oil wealth. Both oil and all other natural resources of Russia should have their own markets and open ways to reach those markets."
Garry Kasparov believes that Russia should unite with Europe. "This union would be important to the Russian nation for social and economic reasons. The traditions of the European democracy and the relative economic stability will help Russia become a modern state. However, Putin's regime mixes up the past and the present. A lot of Russia's neighbors are still being suspicious about Russia, and they have reasons for it. An order in the past is necessary for the future progress. The European and Russian governments are living in two different worlds," Kasparov stated in Hamburg.
"One of the examples to prove it is the fact how our media outlets defend the notorious pact of 1939 between Nazis and Soviets. The USSR attacked Finland because of the pact, it invaded the Baltic republics, occupied a part of Poland and assisted in unleashing WWII. Russia needs to acknowledge the crimes of its Soviet predecessors.
"The avowal of guilt is a good spiritual remedy, which also means the acknowledgement of universal moral values, which the Kremlin currently rejects. One of these values is the ability to find common language. Putin's administration does not know how to speak this language.
"The Soviet past still dominates the Russian reality and politics. Putin is aware of that. In his address to the nation after the hostage crisis in Beslan, the president said that the nation is living under the conditions, which have been created with the collapse of a great state, which proved to be helpless in the changing world. It would be the same to say that you have been living in a house without the water supply system," Kasparov said.
"The Soviet Union could not and cannot be a part of modern Europe. It could become a part of Europe only with its conquests. We must distinguish between modern Russia that we need and the Soviet past that Putin is trying to retrieve.
"There is no place for Committee 2008 and the real opposition in the Russian press. However, there is a place for nationalists and Stalinists, who grieve about that "great state." They decline basic democratic values. These talks about the return to the erstwhile glory are becoming more frequent now. The Nazi propaganda is prohibited in Germany, but not in Russia," Kasparov said.
"Unfortunately, this is not the only aspect, in which Putin exercises himself as a Stalinist. He talks about everything in the old Soviet language. He suppresses freedom of speech, freedom of commerce, he has led Russia astray.
"Putin announced that he would cancel elections of regional governors as a measure to struggle against terrorism. Local parliamentarians will have to approve the selected nominees. Putin is destroying democracy at the time when we need it most. Western politicians might say that the Russian Constitution technically allows it. However, if the West keeps silent, we will most likely witness similar changes happening in the presidential election procedure.
"Even the national lucrative oil market does not function according to the standards of the civilized world. The scandal with Yukos and its CEO, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, has exerted a destructive influence on the economy.
"It is impossible for Europe to deal with the current Russian administration. Europe should press on Putin for changes. One should not let Putin mix the Soviet past with the Russian future in an attempt to keep the relations.
"Schroeder and Chirac are using double standards instead, which brings a lot of harm to the Russian nation. It is not time for Realpolitik. Each meeting of the Group of Seven with Putin's participation is perceived as the approval of Putin's home policy.
"I listen instead to my friends living in Russia..."
Yes, do that.
So yawn, post away. If I wanted to read hate against either Putin or Bush, I wouldn't expect to find it here on FR.
Now when you go back and figure out what Yeltsin did to Russia and why Putin has to make some strong moves right now, and when the tragedy at Beslan has been repeated here in the US, and Bush takes more control of the country as a result, get back to me.
Meantime, get this. Putin is a member of my church and I trust him. He is not power-hungry, nor is he trying to restore the USSR. In fact the bulk of his guidance comes from those in my church. He visits regularly with monastics who guide him ethically and spiritually.
Try not to let fear run your life.
And you could probably find even more stories about how terrible Bush is, too.
Btw, I noticed you don't post your links, ie your sources.
For instance?
A liberal in the old Soviet Union, was a person who wanted change...meaning democracy. So Gorbachev was a liberal.
Case in point, which took me all of five second to locate.
And geeze, what do you think we live in? A free country?
Try a judicial monarchy. Give me Putin over the judges running our lives today here in the US.
OH there it is. I knew that old bigotry was going to come out of you sooner or later.
The poor stupid Russians. That's what my Polish friend likes to say, though carefully, as well.
Still mad about them holding off at Warsaw, was it?
You are only fooling yourself.
Powell should be satisfied with Kosovo being taken over by Muslims. But if he wants to prove that he is impartial and honest he should stop pogroms of Christians in this province. After all Kosovo is under his control - there are thousands of well armed American troops.
"The president and his wife, Ludmila, attend church services on a regular basis, and Putin often visits churches and monasteries all across the country in the course of his travels. The Russian press has also displayed an interest in reports that, in keeping with classic Russian traditions, both Putin and his wife turn for advice and counsel to monastics. Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov of the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow is often identified as an advisor to the president, while his wife reportedly has a long-standing relationship with her "spiritual mother," Mother Ludmila of the Snetogorsky cloister."
"Archimandrite Tikhon Shevkunov, abbot of the Moscow monastery of the Presentation, is called the spiritual counselor of the president."
You'll forgive me of course for believing my spiritual leaders over you. Thanks.
There is no comparison between our experiences and that of Russia. Again you admit to trying to remake Russia into America the second, all from fear.
Israel and Sharon understand what Russia has been living with, and they are helping.
We have never had the experience of islamic radical scum living right next to us. So we should shut up and let Russia learn from Israel, who does have that experience.
That you elect to ignore not just the growing alarms around the world, but Putin's very own statements, is the cross you have to bear.
Fortunately the rest of the world has Putin's measure and is taking him for the serious threat to world peace he is.
A sad woman badly in need of medication. But you have the choice to listen to whom you like.
The Orthodox church is hardly a cult, and is the second largest Christian body in the world. With a much larger following than you or your posted authors, I might add. LOL.
Now let's continue to make comparisons about the choice of whom to believe.
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